Mail box



Sept. 18, 1928. 1,684,384

w. R. BANKSON MAIL BOX Filed Aug. 23, 1927 y [NVENTOR Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES P AT E NT OF F If? 'E WILLIAM R. BANKSONQOF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA MAIL BOX.

Applicationifiled August 23, "1927. Serial -No.-2-14',895.'

My'invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in mail boxesand the primary object thereof is to provide a mail box of the character described which will uniformly stack letter mail with the addressed-side. of the latter generally turned in the same direction; under such conditions greatly facilitating and expediting the bandling; assorting, and the postage cancellation of letter mail.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the type stated" which is simple; in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable and efficient in its use; positivein its action, compact, and comparative- 1y inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing. and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds. the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter referred to, it being understood that changesin the precise embodimentof the invention can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the. invent-ion.

In the drawing wherein like numeralsof reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:-

Figure 1 is a'side'elevational viewlof -a mail box constructed in accordance with the invention, and with portionsthereof in cross section.

Figure 2is a sectional view on line II-II, Fig.1.

Referring in detail to the drawing 1 .denotes a frame structure including a mailreceptacle 2 and a gear casing '3. The; mail receptacle 2 provides a mail chamber 4;.whichis adapted forthe reception of letter mailonly. The mail receptacle 2 is.semi:-circ1ilar incontour. and is rectangular in transverse cross section, and-the mail chamberf t is consequently of like configuration. The mail receptacle 2 is di'sposed'rearward ly and the inner wall'5 thereof is formed with a centrally arranged-slot 6, which extends throughout the length of the latter.

A flat' carrier plate 7 is arranged in the 'c-hamber' land is fixed to the outer end of a radial arm 8, which extends through the slot 6 and has its inner end formecl to provide a hub 9. The latter is formed with reduced ends 10 and 1 1, which are journaled forrotation in respective bearings 12 and 13. The

latterarefixedto the-frame structure 1'. at

chamber 4 in which it is arranged. The

carrierplate 7 is positioned to extendtrans verselythrough the chamber 4,1and the movement of the arm"8-on its pivotal connection 1n the bearings 12 and-13 will permit of the free passage of the "carrier plate 7v through the chamber 4 fromthe topto the lower end thereof-.- The upper. end of the slot 6-limits the upward movement of the arm 8,- so that when the latter is in its maximum upward position, the plate- 7 will be inclined rear-- K wardly from its lower to its up'per'end, as clearly shown in dash lines in Figure- 1.

A coil spring 14, having one end fixed to the frame structure 1 and the other end thereof to the hub 9; surrounds the latter; andnormally functions to force the arm 8 and the plate-7 to their maximum upward position.

A gear 15 is fixed to one end 'ofthe-hub 9 and meshes with a:pinioni1-6, whichis fixed on a sha-ft17. The latteris suitably journaled for rotationin. the frame-structure land also carries a fixed gear 18. The gear 18 meshes witha pinion19, whichis fi'xedmn a 'sha-ft20. The latter issuitably our'naled: for rotation in the frame structure lcand'also carries the ratchet wheel 21 fixed thereto.

A substantially u shaped saddle 22 straddles the top portion-of the receptacle 2 One leg 23, of the saddle 22,has its lower end piv otally mounted on the shaft 20, and the-other saddle leg 24 has its lower end pivotallyconnected= to a pivoting pin 25, which is fixedin theframe structure 1; The pin 25 and-- shaft 20 are horizontally aligned relatively-to each other.

The rearwall 26 is' formedwith atrans versely extending: slot-'27, whichis disposed at thetop of the former and providesan opening for theinsertionof the letters into the chamber-4'. The top oftlie'saddle 22 normally'serves asazclosure forthe letter slot 27 but the' pivotal connection of the saddle 22 on the pin 25 and shaft 20 allowsthe saddle 22 to be manually shifted-to the rearward directionto clear theletter slot-27 and permit of the insertion of letter mail'through the letter. A spring-28, connectedwith the saddle '22 and with therframestructure 1, normally acts to' force the saddle 22 to the'elosingiposition to cover the letter slot 27.

A rearwardly disposed actuating pawl 29 is pivotally connected, as at 30, to the inner side of the saddle leg 23 and engages the top of the ratchet wheel 21. Each time that the saddle 22 is shifted rearwardly, the engagement of the pawl 29 on the ratchet wheel 29 will cause the partial rotation of the latter in the clockwise direction. Owing to the geared connection of theratchetwheel 29, with the hub 9, the arm 8, will also be actuated to shift the carrier plate 7 in the clockwise direction in the chamber 4, thereby providing space in the latter for the following letter, each time the saddle 22 is shifted rearwardly in the manner stated. The first letter that is deposited in the chamber 4 will position itself flatly against the carrier plate 7, and each subsequent letter deposits itself against the last letter deposited. The distance of travel of the carrier plate 7 by each operation of the saddle 22 is predetermined and approximately commensurate to the mean thickness of ordinary letters.

To prevent the return of the plate 7 in the chamber 4 by the action of the spring 14, while the spring 28 is'returning the saddle to the normal or closing position, a. locking pawl 31 is provided. The latter is pivotally connected to the frame structure 1 and engages the ratchet wheel 21 forwardly of the actuating pawl 29.

The pawl 29 is formed with a forwardly projecting forked end 32, and the pawl 31 is likewise formed with a similar forwardly projecting forked end 33, which is disposed parallel to and below the forked end 32 of the pawl 29.

A vertically disposed releasing rod 34 is slidably connected to the frame structure 1, and extends through the forked ends 32 and 33 of respective pawls 29 and 31. The upper end of the releasing rod 34 is threaded and carries a pair of adjusting nuts, respectively indicated at 35 and 36. The nut 35 is seated on the top of the forked pawl end 32, and the nut 36 is seated on the top of the forked pawl end 33. Coil springs 37 and 38 are mounted on rod 34 directly beneath respective forked pawl ends 32 and 33. "The lower ends of the springs 37 and 38 seat on pins 39 which extend transversely through rod 34, while the upper ends thereof tensionally engage the lower side of respective pawl ends 32 and 33. The action of the springs 38 and 39 serve to maintain the operative engagement of the pawls 29 and 31 with the ratchet wheel 21, while permitting of the rotation of the'latter in the clockwise direction.

The lower end of the releasing rod 34 is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 40. The latter is pivotally mounted to the frame structure 1. The other arm of the bell crank 40 is pivotally connected with a horizontally disposed connecting rod 41, which has its rear end pivotally connected, as at 42,

adjacent to the door 43.

The door 43 covering the outlet for removing the letter mail from the receptacle 2, is disposed at the lower end of the receptacle rear wall and hin v Ly connected, as at 44, at its upper end to open outwardly rearward. The lower end of the door 43 is provided with suitable latching or looking elements 45 for n'iaintaining the door in the closed position.

It will he noted that the connecting rod connection l2 is disposed below the hinged door connection 44, whereby the opening movement of the door 43 will draw the releasing rod 34 downwardly and shift the pawls 29 and 31 from their engagement with the ratchet wheel 21. When the mail has been upper end of the receptacle removed from the receptacle 2, and the pawls 29 and 31 are disengaged from the ratchet wheel 21 by the opening movement of the door 43, the action of the spring 14 will return the carrier plate '7 to its upward position. and 31 again engage the ratchet wheel 31 to respectively actuate and lock the latter in the manner herein stated.

In the event that the mail is being gathered from my improved device before the chamber 4 has been filled with sufficient mail to bring the carirer plate 7 below the upper end of the door 23, it will be necessary to manually turn the hub 9 a distance to bring the plate 7 and letter mail thereon below the upper end of the door 43, to permit of the removal of the mail matter. For this purpose a squared socket 46 is formed in the reduced end 10 of the hub 9. ihe socket 4 is adapted for the When the door 43 is closed the pawls 29 reception of a suitable implement for rotating ment of the saddle by the action of the spring 28, is limited by a stop lug 48 mounted on the forward end of the rear wall 26. It is only necessary to shift the saddle 22 a distance sufficient to clear the slot 27 to permit of the insertion of letter mail, and to again close the slot 27 after such deposit has been made.

All letters inserted in my improved mail box will be neatly stacked against each other, and as the depositor usually takes a last look at his letter to satisfy himself that the same is properly stamped and addressed, the letters will be found to be generally turned in the same direction, thereby facilitating the handling of the mail matter when same reaches the post office.

What I claim is:

1. In a mail box of the character described, a mail receptacle provided with a mail inlet opening, a shiftable closure member for said mail inlet opening and normally closing the latter, a carrier plate mounted in said recep tacle, and means actuated by the movement ot said closure member for shitting said carrier plate to a predetermined position in said receptacle.

2. In a mail box of the character described, a mail receptacle provided with a mail inlet opening, a shii'table closure member for srid mail inlet opening and normally closing the latter, a carrier plate mounted in said receptacle, means actuated by the movement of said closure member for shitting said carrier plate to a predetermined position in said rcceptacle, and means for returning: said closure member to its normal closirg' position.

3. In a mail bOFI of the cln *acter cs g lleil. a mail receptacle provided with a mail inlet opening, a shittable closure member for said mail inlet opening and normally clos,ii'r the latter, a carrier plate i'nounted in said receptacle, means actuated by the movement oi' the closure member to the opening position tor shifting said carrier plate to a, predcte: position in said receptacle.

4. In a mail box of the character described, amail receptacle provided with a mail inlet opening. a shittable closure member for aid mail inlet opening and normallg clo ing the latter, a carrier plate mounted in said receptacle, means actuated by the movement oi the closure member to the open ng position for shifting said carrier plate to a predetermined position in said receptacle, and spring actuated means for returning said closure member to its normal closing position.

5. In a mail box of the character described. a receptacle providing a mail chamber. said receptacle being semi-circular in contour and having a mail inlet slot formed in the top thereof. a closure member mn'mall closing said slot, a flat carrier plate extending trans versely through said chamber and norn'ially disposed in the upper end of the latter. an arm supporting said carrier plate and having its inner end pivotally connected at the axial center of said circular receptacle, gear elements connecting said closure member with the stud arm. the movement of said closure member to the opening position actuating 'said gear element to shift said carrier plate to a predetermined position in said chamber.

6. In a mail box of the character described, a receptacle providing a mail chamber, said receptacle being semi-circular in contou and havin a mail inlet slot formed in the top thereof, a closure member normally closing said slot, a flat carrier plate extending transvcrs-iely through said chamber and ni'irmally disposed in the upper end of the latter. an arm supporting said carrier plate and having, its inner end pivotally connected at the axial center of said circular receptiu-le. gear elements connecting said closure member with the said arm. the movement of said closure member to the opening position actuating said gear element to shift said carrier plate to a predetermined position in said chamber, and spring actuated means for returning said closure member to its normal closing position.

7. In a mail box of the character described, a receptacle providing a mail chamber. said receptacle being semicircular in contour and having a mail inle slot formed in the top thereof. a closure member normally closing said slot, a flat carrier plate extending transversely through said chamber. and normally disposed in the upper end of the latter. an arm supporting said carrier plate and havits inner end pivotally connected at the axial center of said circular receptacle. gear elements connecting said closure member With the said arm, the movement of said closure member to the opening position nctuating: said 'ear element to shift said carrier plate to a predetern'iined position in said chamber, spring actuated means tor returning said closure member to its normal losing position, and spring actuated means for returning said carrier plate to its normal up- Ward position.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

WILLIAM R. BANKSON. 

